Enroll Now For Classes Beginning: August 25, 2008

Cost Per Credit Hour: $240

Total Credits: 66 Credits

The associate of arts in early childhood education focuses on providing students with the knowledge, skills and training required to meet the emerging standards for early childhood educators. This program prepares students to work with children from birth to grade three, while meeting the mandate of the Head Start Act. A collaborative degree among the Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services, Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, and the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Education, the program meets the national guidelines and competencies recommended by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, American Associate Degree Early Childhood Educators (ACCESS), National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Individuals with high school degrees or General Education Diplomas (GED) who wish to enter the teaching profession as an early childhood educator

Individuals currently working on their undergraduate GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS at another college or university who wish to transfer to NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services’ associate of arts in early childhood education program

Practicing early childhood educators who wish to obtain an associate’s degree and/or increase their level of expertise in their current field

Practicing paraprofessionals who wish to obtain an associate’s degree in exceptional student education and increase their level of expertise in their field

FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN (fewer than 24 CREDITS)
Completed admission application packet, including $50 nonrefundable application fee made payable to Nova Southeastern University

Official high school transcripts with courses, grades, and graduation date (if available) or GED equivalent

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Completed admission application packet, including $50 nonrefundable application fee made payable to Nova Southeastern University

Secondary school or college-level transcripts with courses and grades with official English-language translations, if necessary, by Joseph Silny & Associates or World Education Services

Official test scores showing a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based or 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam, 480 on the verbal section of the SAT, or 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam

Student (F-1) visa or exchange visitor (J-1) visa

Original bank statement or official letter from a financial institution indicating ability to meet all costs of education without financial aid from Nova Southeastern University

FOR NON-NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency by providing proof of a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based or 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam or 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Students taking classes in certain FSEHS international clusters may be exempt from submitting MAT, GRE, and TOEFL scores. Please contact a FSEHS enrollment representative regarding requirements for your international cluster.

(66 CREDITS)

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES (42 CREDITS)
COMP1000 Basic Writing
COMP1500 College Writing
ARTS 2300 Art and Society

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COURSES (24 CREDITS)
ECA 203 Foundations of Early Care and Education
ECA 205 Children with Special Needs (Birth through Age 8)
ECA 218 Child Observation, Record Keeping, and Assessment
ECA 241 Child Guidance
ECA 242 Foundations of Literacy Development
ECA 252 Managing Literacy Environments
ECA 267 Literacy Development in Multilingual Communities
ECA 285 Professional Behavior in Early Childhood

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL COURSES
ECA 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education: Professionalism, Safety,
Health, and Learning Environment (CDA I)
ECA 112 Introduction to Early Childhood Education: Physical, Cognitive, Communication, and Creative Development (CDA II)
ECA 114 Introduction to Early Childhood Education: Families, Schools, and Communities (CDA III)
ECA 270 Administration of Child Care and Education Program

Satisfactory completion of all required courses in the major

Maintained cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher

Completed degree for application

Coursework in the associate of arts in early childhood education is available completely online and at the university’s Miami Student Educational Center. The online program allows students to receive and submit coursework and interact with participants and professors via the Internet. The site-based program allows students to take classes in the evenings in a location near their home. These distance delivery options allow busy professionals to complete their degree without having to leave their jobs or travel long distances.

Faculty members for the associate of arts in early childhood education program are recognized scholars and educators from Nova Southeastern University and other major universities and institutions throughout the country. In addition many are also highly respected professional practitioners. They are carefully selected on the basis of their subject expertise, teaching abilities, and professional involvement. Most importantly, they are united in their desire to not only educate, but to inspire students to use what they learn to inspire others.